The Cross | and What It Means for Fallen Humanityਨਮੂਨਾ

As the Church becomes more and more mature in Jesus Christ, the gospel will have a greater impact among other people, on campuses, in communities, and in the rest of the world.

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:28

Read also:

Colossians 2:7; 3:12–17

R E F L E C T

The apostle Paul explains who we proclaim—Christ and Christ alone.

This proclamation comes both as a warning and a teaching. Paul’s letter to the Colossians was an exhortation to believers to stand their ground against deceptive and false philosophies that were influencing their church at that time.

That’s why Paul wrote first to emphasize the preeminence of Christ, who alone is truly supreme and authoritative. He is over all created things, including spiritual strongholds and powers in their city and region. Paul gave this strong warning to the church so that they would not just believe anything or become deluded by false teachings. As Christ is continually taught, believers will have a strong foundation in Christ, rooted and built up in him (Colossians 2:7).

The goal is the maturity of all believers in Christ. We are conformed to His image and are to be more like Him every day. As those who have been saved by the gospel, we are also continually being sanctified by it. This lifelong process includes being careful with and responding to the warnings we receive, to turn away from who we were, to run from what is false, and to mature instead in the wisdom of God’s ways.

This maturity does not merely apply to us as individual believers. The maturity we are working towards is that of the Church. When we look around at our state and the brokenness we still find ourselves in, it may seem impossible to imagine a mature Church that will be presented to Christ. Since the spiritual maturity of the believers is related to their being more and more Christlike, a mature Church is a Church where we see people loving one another deeply, demonstrating forgiveness, and having their hope fixed on Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:12–17). This is part of God’s goal and plan for us, where we will fully see the fruit of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and what we look forward to and proclaim. As the Church becomes more and more mature in Jesus Christ, the gospel will have a greater impact among other people, on campuses, in communities, and in the rest of the world.

R E S P O N D

• As a follower of Christ, what are some things God may be warning you to turn away from? How can you be rooted in Him continually?

• How can you reflect who Christ is in your families and communities?

• Our goal is to proclaim Christ. Identify how you can accomplish this, and ask God for boldness, courage, and opportunities to minister.

Lord Jesus,

We believe You are preeminent, supreme, and authoritative. May our lives be built on this truth and may we reflect You in all we do. May the Church grow in maturity and may we proclaim You through our words, actions, and life. May we become more like You every day.

Amen.